Analysis of Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) among the Genotypes of 2013 Elite Wheat Genotypes of the North Warm and Humid Zone in Iran

Fusarium head blight (FHB), which is caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most important diseases of wheat in Iran which reduces wheat yield and quality especially in northern parts of the country. For the purpose of identifying and selecting FHB-resistant genotypes, the reactions of 20 lines of the Elite Regional Wheat Yield Trials from the North warm and humid zone in 1392 (ERWYT-N-1392) were determined to FHB under field conditions in two locations for two years. Results of combined analysis of variance of several datasets including disease incidence, severity, and index and Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) from two locations (Gorgan and Moghan) in two years (1393 and 1394) showed significant differences among the genotypes for all datasets. Results of the present investigation showed that five genotypes of N-92-3, N-92-1 (cv. Morvarid), N-92-19, N-92-4, and N-92-9 having the lowest disease incidence, severity and disease index and FDK, and the best means of ranks from these traits were the most resistant lines under field conditions. Low disease incidence and FDK in these genotypes may indicate the presence of type I and type IV resistances, respectively. Based on the results of this research, the experimental lines N-92-3, N-92-19, N-92-4, and N-92-9 may be proposed as candidate lines to replace the older cultivars in this region, if their high yeild and resistance to other diseases is confirmed as well.